Combination fluid dispensing nozzle and fluid level indicating means



J. H. CHADWICK COMBINATION FLUID DISPENSING NOZZLE AND FLUID LEVELINDICATING MEANS Dec. 25, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec. 24, 1947 v rr A INVENTOR.

JOSEPH CHADWICK J. H. CHADWICK 2,580,157 COMBINATION FLUID DISPENSINGNOZZLE AND Dec. 25, 1951 FLUID LEVEL INDICATING MEANS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2Filed Dec. 24, 1947 L/OSEPH H. CHADW/CK INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 25, 1951 COMBINATION FLUID DISPENSING NOZZLE AND FLUIDLEVEL INDICATING MEANS Joseph H. Chadwick, Portland, Oreg.

Application December 24, 1947, Serial No. 793,598 1 Claim. (01. 226-66)This invention relates to new and novel means for indicating, by anaudible signal, the fluid level in a tank or receptacle when beingfilled.

It is one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a deviceof this character particularly well adapted for use in connection withfilling nozzles such as are used on gasoline metering pumps inautomobile service stations, air ports, and on many other types ofsupply hoses fitted with a dispensing nozzle.

Another important feature of the invention is that it prevents backpressure in the tank from escaping through the filling neck or openingand carrying the contents of the tank with it, as sometimes occurs whilefilling automobile gasoline tanks at filling stations.

A further object is the provision of a device of this character which isreadily adaptable for operative attachment to all types of filling necksor openings in fuel tanks.

A still further object resides in the simplicity and compactness ofconstruction, and wherein its several parts are readily removable forrepair or replacement and one which may be quickly and convenientlyattached to the filling opening of a gasoline tank for sealing the sameby simply rotating a closure cap a few turns about the nozzle to actuatemeans for securely gripping the walls of the filling opening.

These and other objects will appear as my invention is more fullyhereinafter described in the following specification, illustrated in theaccompanying drawing and finally pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention shown in operativeengagement with the filling neck of a tank and with fragments brokenaway and partly in section for convenience of illustration.

Figure 2' is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of a valve housing andcage for a float valve.

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional plan views taken along the lines5-5 and 66, respectively, in Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a greatly reduced side elevation of a tank illustrating oneof a number of curved filling necks in open communication with the tank.

Figure 8 is an elevation of a fuel tank with a modified form ofinvention applied to the filler neck thereof.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side elevation of theinvention and the filler neck as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a conventional filling hose, actuatingvalve, filling nozzle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawmgs:

Reference numeral I indicates the filling neck of a tank. The upper endof the neck is turned inwardly on itself to form a locking flange 2 forengagement with a closure cap in the usual manner. The flange ispartially cut out at diametrically opposed points to form slots 3 and 4for attaching and detaching the closure cap.

The main body of the invention consists of a hollow cylindrical element,generally indicated at 5, reduced and threaded as at 6 to form ashoulder l, and further reduced as at 8 to form a second shoulder 9. Thereduced portion 8 is adapted for attachment in any approved manner withthe dispensing end of a supply hose and dispensing valve. (not shown)such as are commonly used on gasoline pumps in automobile servicestations, and the like.

The lower portion of the cylindrical element 5 is preferably tapered asshown, and its lower end is in open communication with a length offlexible pipe or nozzle It by attachment thereto in the conventionalmanner. The lower end of the nozzle terminates in a collar II formedwith an inlet opening I2 therein. The collar is preferably flattenedover an area surrounding the inlet opening to prevent anysurface-to-surface contact between the collar l l and the inside wall ofa filling neck which might tend to block ofi the opening I2, as will bemore fully hereinafter explained.

Atdiammetrically opposed points on the periphery of the lower portion ofthe cylindrical member 5, I provide spring fingers I3 by means ofbrackets M to which the fingers are backed by compression springs [6 tonormally maintain the fingers in radially extended positions withrespect to the cylindrical member. The upper end of the spring fingersshould be well rounded for smooth operation while moving in and out ofengagement with the locking flange 2. Moreover, the flanges [4 shouldnot extend outwardly a greater distance than the spring fingers in anyposition, and their upper ends should also be rounded as shown so as notto interfere with disengagement from the locking flange. By means of thespring fingers engaging beneath the locking flange 2 and a locking capISA, the invention is held securely within the filling neck I of thetank and the tank and neck are thereby sealed against escapement of air.The cap is threadedly mounted on the threaded portion 6 of thecylindrical element 5 and a rubber gasket I! is carried by the cap forfirm and air-tight engagement with the locking flange of the fillingneck.

Attached in a vertical position on the interior of the cylindricalelement 5 is a valve housing l8 formed at its upper end with an openingto provide a valve seat IQ for a float valve 20 mounted upon a valvestem 2| which is slidably mounted in concave ends 22 and 23 of a cage 24securely positioned within the valve body I8. To the valve .stem issecured a float 25 made of any suitable buoyant material such as cork,or the like. It will be noted that the valve 20 and float 25 are spacedfrom the wall of the valve body l8 as best through the valverseatt. i9,and'ian elbowtfitting; 26 with an" air whistle 2T Which'for-compactnessencircles the reduced portion 8 of the cylindricalelement and is attached thereto at the shoulder portion 9 thereof.

The lower end of the valve-housing;- IBiCOII: nects, by means of afitting 28, with one end of a length of flexible tubing 29 whoseopposite end connects with a fitting 3B;0n-.the.interior of. the collarH for open communication with the inlet opening 12 formed in the collar.

The nozzle or pipe l0, and tubing 29 are flexib16580 as to;.conform;when inserted, to; thecurvae ture'of filling, necks of tanks, suchiorinstance,- as illustrated .in;Figure7. The openend. ofxthe neck l issealed by the rubber-gaskethandcap IB-A asaforesaid, and as. thefillingoperation begins. by the; manipulation of the; dispensing: valve(not shown), the risingifluid levelcreates air-pressure in the tank andthe only avenue'ofescape for theair'is through the openingltin thecollar l I, through flexible tube 29; valve hous ing. [8, through openvalve seat l9randiinto the air whistle-21 which continues toiunction aslon as the fluid level continues to rise in:-.the-tank; It will be notedthat-the'floatZE, connected .with the valve.20;pis of sufficientweight'so asnot to be lifted 'bythe'air' pressureqas'it-rests in,a:down-. ward or open position with respect to the'valve seat Iii-asshown in Figuree-i.

When the fluidiinathe tank reaches the level where it flowsthrough theopening; izlinto the; tube'29; the air-ofcourse, is cut ofi andthe.whistle ceases to functioniwhichindicates -tor the; operator that-thetank is:filled,;orrthat the contentszof theitank has reachedalevel .towhich; the-'end'of the nozzle extends. It is.-to .be understood that thenozzle and tube may be ofzany: desired length for extending:throughafilling; necks of various lengths, or they'may beshortened-to alength whereby they may beinsertedidirectly into the tank through an,ordinary fillinglopen-v mg,

When theflow of the fluidintoz; the tube'z'29? reachesthefioat 25; the'valve-rzogwill's beeliftedr' by) the float to engage and T closevthevvalvez seat. l9-in=the valve housing l8 assshowndnwdotted linesdnFigure4; This seals ofi theltube e29i'and valve: housing, 18. to preventescapementof the: fluid: .throughzthe whistle:

When thetank isfilledthe cap; "in .isrbacked: away from the lockingflangeof the fillingneck: and .the cylindrical element 5is-'rotated..through 90 degrees from the positiorrr'viewediinuFiguresorthrough any, numberof degrees necessary;

torposition the spring; fingers so. that they; are free to pass out.through theslots 3-=and- .;4=,for: removing-thenozzle. l0-from' the;-filling neck; of the-tank.

In Figure 8, the filling neck. is made of; two;

parts-3i and 321joinedtogether bmarubberncollar'. or coupling 33, andthe upper-endiof tnecpanta ering; 38E toprevent dirt; water; andiothenioreign substances from entering the openings therein which wouldinterfere with the operation of the whistle.

Aspreviouslwstated; the form of the invention illustrated in'Eigures 1to 6 is particularly adapted for use in connection with filling nozzlesor fluid supplyhoses: while the form of the invention shown inFigures-8,9, and 10 is applied to, and made a permanent part of afilling neck of a tank? It being understood of course, that this form ofthe invention is. applied to any type of tank-,1. such astusedi on 2automobiles,. trucks, aircraft; watercraft, fuel storage; tanks; and;the. like.v

In-r operating: the mo'dified'iform .of the invention; the" nozzle: 39'of :th'e. supply hose shown in Fi'gure- 10 is i inserted sin; the.filling;v neck: in the: usual. manner: Following; this; a rubber. disc.or: cap;40 mountedat the: inner: end oi' the nozzle is held: securely?against the: open end: of. the. filling neck to seal the tank againstLleakage: of air. As in the.v otherr'formof i the :invention'; therising fluid level :in :axtankrbeing filled, forces air out ofthetankiwhich when sealed in accordance with .my. invention canonlyescape through'the' valve'housingsfl, fitting 3 6:; and whistle35;.which continues to function to'produce. an'audiblessignal so; long&as: the fluid levelzinsthe-z. tank is. rising. Then; whenthe float:isslifted: by the fluid the: valve: 2BALof. course seals ioflrthe'fitting 3 6 and J the whistle 38 indicating tozan operatorthat 'the tank.is "filled.

While @I have.=.show1r .ai.pa-rticular. form: of eme bodiment -i of myinvention; I; am. aware. that manyrminor changes ltherein' will. readilysuggest themselves: to others. skilled in. the art without departing:from". the. spirit sand-5 scope .of 3 the 1 invention. Having thusdescribed the invention; what" claim. as': new. and: desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

An airtactuated: audible; signal for" indicatingaafluidilevelzinz;aatankizhaving a: filler opening. said signal.consisting. of. an air: whistle sun-'- rounding; said; opening? and 1 ini open communica tion with a valve housing disposedon the interior ofthe opening, the valvec-liousing. being in op'en communication atI-oneof its ends with the interior oi the tankgafioat disposed within thevalveehousing, aavalve disposed within thevalve housing and attached tosaid float and normally held by gravity in an open position to permitpassage ofair from: the interior of the tank through said housing: andinto said whistle; said valve being adapted r to be moved into: aclosed.- position to stop passage ofair tothe whistle whenaliftedby thefiuid in the tank acting. on the float when the fluid has reacheds-apredeterminedilevelfi therein?- J OSEPH' Hi nnrnanncustolrnn.

The followingreferencesare of record in' the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES Number Name I Date-= 9897,8182 Wendi-mgr Mar; 2 1;: 19111,990,386? Kyso .1- Feb: 53 1935 2,073,360; B'i'ckley Mari 9, 19372,140,559 Sculley et al. Dec. 20, 1938 2 2053513. Eeatherston June '18;1940 2393040" Scu'lly= Dec. 189 1945 2399, 167? Cliouinard Apr-2 3051946

